Forelsket
noun /fɒˈrelskət/ — The euphoria of falling in love for the first time with someone.
Definition
Norwegian: the overwhelming euphoria you feel when falling in love with someone; the intoxicating lightness and wonder of early love.
Beyond the definition
The Norwegians named the most specific feeling in the falling-in-love process: not love itself, but the moment before love is certain — when the world is brighter, food tastes better, and you catch yourself smiling at nothing. English has no single word for it.
Origin & history
From Norwegian forelsket — past participle of forelske seg 'to fall in love with.' The state of having fallen.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She recognised the forelsket — the city looked different, everything did.
Forelsket is why falling in love is one of the most disruptive experiences a person can have.
Nothing quite matches forelsket — the ordinary world suddenly full of light.
Synonyms
infatuation, new love, euphoria, enchantment, love-struck
Antonyms
heartbreak, indifference, disenchantment
Related words
Forelsket vs euphoria
Forelsket refers specifically to the unique, intense euphoria of falling in love. Euphoria is a general, broad state of overwhelming happiness or well-being from any source.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Spirit in total joy
An adult stands on a hilltop, arms raised, hair whipping in the wind, face turned toward the warm sun.
The euphoria expressed by the figure is analogous to the feeling of falling in love. The sense of lightness, wonder, and total engagement with the present moment captures the intoxication of that early, wonderful phase of romantic discovery.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration